BonWorth officials looking to sell, not close, company

Locally owned BonWorth Inc. is making an effort to keep its doors open, with officials looking to sell instead of close the 40-year-old company.

By Molly McGowanTimes-News Staff Writer

Locally owned BonWorth Inc. is making an effort to keep its doors open, with officials looking to sell instead of close the 40-year-old company.Rumors began circulating in January that the Hendersonville-based women's fashion retailer would be closing, potentially affecting customers and employees of its 200 retail locations throughout 36 states.Bill Hale, BonWorth's chief financial officer, said the headquarters and first store location in Hendersonville employ about 25 people, and nationwide the company has about 700 employees.Loyal BonWorth customers across the country responded to the closing rumors by signing an online petition at Change.org, asking N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory to help keep the Hendersonville legacy's headquarters, at 40 Francis Road, open and maintain local jobs.Hale said he's aware of the online petition, and he's also received several signature petitions requesting to keep BonWorth open.“We've got customers all over the country that are pushing in that direction, so it looks like we're going to make everybody happy,” he said. “We're working to make everybody happy.”On Tuesday, Hale said, “It doesn't look like we're going to close the company,” but rather sell it, and that there are interested potential buyers.“We're working with some people to sell the company right now,” he said. “We're tentatively trying to sell by July.”There is currently no date to close the BonWorth store in Hendersonville, Hale added.Selling would certainly be better than closing the business, said Henderson County Chamber of Commerce President Bob Williford.“They have been a significant force in Hendersonville (and) Henderson County for a long, long time,” he said. “The biggest impact (would be) on the back office operations. That is, the support people here who are supporting their regional presence,” such as those employees handling BonWorth's financial operations and marketing. “Those are critical jobs,” said Williford.___Reach McGowan at 828-694-7871 or molly.mcgowan@blueridgenow.com.